Tuesday, March 06, 2007

Comings and Goings - UPDATE

Original PostingWhile the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the Steelers will be meeting with linebacker Tully Banta-Cain, recently of New England, in their efforts to replace the recently departed Joey Porter, John Clayton is reporting for ESPNInsider.com that Mr. Porter may be joining a former teammate.

Mr. Bunta-Cain, who will turn 27 years old in August, is a four year veteran at of the University of California. As recently as January of this year Bill Belichick had this to say about the man who replaced Junior Seau: "He's definitely improved. He's seen different combinations of blockers and people out there, and that experience has definitely helped him. He hasn't had a chance to have a lot of extended playing time at (outside linebacker) until this year, (and) he's played solidly throughout the course of the year." Ok, so it's exactly the most effusive praise one could hope for; but then again consider the source. In any event, Mr. Bunta-Cain had a career year in 2006: 31 tackles, 12 assists, 5.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 2 kick returns for 25 yards (no doubt as part of the blocking wedge).

Meanwhile John Clayton is reporting that Joey Porter may become part of the New York Jets' defense, joining former Steelers teammate Kimo von Oelhoeffen. According to Mr. Clayton, if that should come to pass then the Jets would likely release linebacker Eric Barton (who will turn 30 years old in September, had 73 tackles and 28 assists in 2006 to go with 4.5 sacks).